Side Effects of Wild Yam - also Safety, Caution and Contraindications

Few side effects of wild yam have shown up in studies. Some report stomach discomfort or rash in those who are allergic to wild yam.

If you are taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, you should consult your doctor or health professional, as there may be some hormonal effect. This is particularly important, as there are reports of some manufacturers adding hormones to their wild yam creams.

There is also a possibility that wild yam may lower blood sugar. Therefore, if you are taking insulin or being treated for low blood sugar, you should also consult your doctor for monitoring if you are taking wild yam.

There have been no noted side effects of wild yam for the natural Mexican Wild Yam. The ability of topical creams based on extracts of Mexican Wild Yam to actually increase bone density has been noted by several practitioners in the UK.

One of the accompanying side effects of wild yam products is that the high alcohol content in some wild yam tinctures may lead to vomiting if they are taken with the drugs disulfiram (Antabuse) or metronidazole (Flagyl).

Safety

General consensus between all herbal sources is that wild yam is very safe to use, and can be used safely for long periods of time.

Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar writes that the plant is safe to take over extended periods of time with no residual side effects of wild yam consumption. Taken in small, frequent doses, it can be used to allay nausea, but in large doses may cause nausea instead.

Contradictions - what not to take wild yam with, and who shouldn't use it

Apparently, antibiotics will negate the contraceptive effects of wild yam. This also includes herbal antibiotics like garlic, goldenseal and echinacea. There are many other herbs that have an antibiotic affect, so if you use a variety of herbs, make sure you research them well, and know their effects.

People with hormone dependent conditions, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus or prostate should preferably not take wild yam. If going to do so, one should consume with great caution.

Pregnant or nursing women or children should not take wild yam.

Pregnancy

If pregnancy is discovered, it is advisable to discontinue taking wild yam immediately.

Contraceptive doses are higher than normal therapeutic doses, and are taken with the intent to prevent pregnancy. If planning on carrying the pregnancy to term, energy should be focused on this, and herbal / vitamin intakes are to be adjusted appropriately to support pregnancy.

Hormonal changes - birth control and hormone replace therapy

In theory, the wild yam herb may cause hormonal changes, and there are reports of manufacturers adding hormones such as progesterone to wild yam products. This could increase some side effects in people taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapies or alter the effects of steroids.

Cholesterol

If wild yam is used with cholesterol-lowering drugs, there may be a greater reduction in cholesterol levels.

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